Tag Archives: discipline

I saw this post in my Facebook feed this today and knew I had to write something about it.

…Because this is truth.

We all have to start somewhere. We are all beginners. We will not know our full abilities until we try.

When I first began my fitness journey I could not do a full three minutes on my elliptical. In fact, I found it so hard that I gave up. I was winded and sweaty (I still sweat like I’m burning in Hell) and, frankly, I was embarrassed that a mere three minutes of cardio nearly killed me and I gave up!

I had bought that elliptical on a whim of trying wanting to be healthy (read: skinny) and I failed. And, apparently, at that time I was okay with failure. But then one day, that one particular day, I made a decision and my life changed – forever and for the best. I swear to God, that elliptical saved my life. I saw this with all seriousness and certainty. I was on a path that was destroying me. My self-esteem was shot, my mental health was in the toilet, and I was overweight to a degree that I should never have let happen.

And I jumped on my elliptical and had my first real workout.

And, although I swore I would never publicly show this photo – I realized, “well shoot! This was me! This is what I looked like!” So, here goes:

Left: Before / Right: After

Yep! The pic on the left with the scratched out face and the really, really badly blonde hair is me.

And you know what’s sad? I I don’t even recognize that person on the left and I’m ashamed that I allowed myself to treat my body that way. After A Lot of hard work, dedication, and discipline, the pic on the right reflects closer to where I am today. But each day I grow in my fitness. I’m so much stronger and adventurous in my exercising. And I look forward to challenging myself daily.

Once I started exercising regularly and eating healthier, I started feeling better on the inside too. I know not everyone gets this or agrees. But this is 100% true for me. Exercise helped bring me out of a 10 year depression. It helped with my self-esteem and confidence. There are days when I still struggle with these but overall, I’ve become a different person. (Give it a chance….you might be shocked to find that exercise can help you too.)

When I look back to those years ago and hopping on my elliptical and failing miserably at my first attempt of working out, I almost feel glad, Because I was doing it for the wrong reason. As I said above, I wanted to start exercising to get thin, not to have a better life. And it wasn’t until I decided to change my life that my life changed. That’s when I really began.

So, don’t be afraid to begin. Even if it means you’re starting over or beginning again. It’s when you’re really ready that you will make the effort. As you know, my mantra for years has been “If you’re not willing to do the work, you’re not ready to lose the weight.” (Thank you Shaun T!) Again, #Truth!

So, don’t be afraid. Go ahead and begin. And if you have to, begin again.

Every day someone you know will start an exercise program. Be supportive of him or her. Regardless of whether you think the person will succeed or stick with it.

Frankly, it’s none of your business. That person is trying. And whether he/she is setting him/herself of for failure is not a significant factor. What is significant is that he/she is trying.

Give this person your support. Give this person some encouragement. A lot of the time that’s all that is needed for success.

So often we are more than happy to discourage other people. We are too quick to jump on a person’s aspirations and beat them down. I’ve had my fair share of beat downs – plenty of people back in the day who told me my weight loss journey was going to fail. Pffft! Look at me now!

We are about to enter a new year. Let’s all make a resolution to be a little nice and encouraging and lend some admiration to those who are just beginning their journeys. A kind word and a pat on the back is, perhaps, all it will take to keep them going.

I know it may be hard to fall in line with Jennifer Aniston’s (or any celebrity’s) preaching way of thinking when it looks like she has never experienced a fat day in her life (although we’ve heard the stories of how she was asked by producers to lose weight prior to shooting “Friends”). Truth is, yeah, she may be thin but it takes discipline to stay lean and healthy. And to swear yourself off completely from foods you enjoy is not the best idea. You’re more likely setting yourself up for failure. I am not a junk-food eater but on occasion, I like to indulge in something. Like right now, for instance, I am savoring some yummy chocolate. Not dark chocolate, either. I just had a handful of crappy straight-to-my-ass chocolate pieces. And I’ve now, just now, put the box deep inside my desk so that the urge to continue eating it is gone. Out of sight, out of mind.

But, I was feeling like some chocolate today and I went for it. If I have a craving for more sweet stuff later I have some beautiful strawberries in the fridge. See, it’s okay to indulge once in a while; the rule is to not overindulge.

When you want something, have it. Enjoy it. Savor it. APPRECIATE it. And you will be satisfied.